Cable dated 07 June 2007: which discusses the influence and role of China in Eritrea. [This is particularly interesting because of Isaias' training in the country inthe 1960s, and the resulting influence of Maoist politics, presumably including his disregard for the Eritrean people: Mao is believed to have caused the deaths of 40-70 million people.] Sun Jiliang, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, shared the frustrations of Chinese businesses at the strict limitations on the export of foreign currency, which is killing their profitability. In 2006 there were approximately 10 Chinese owned businesses operating in Eritrea (construction companies, two telecommunications companies and a handful of doctors.) [It hasn't totally driven them out - see our post here.] None of them function solely in the private sector, rather they have contracts with the regime. The newly arrived British Ambassador, Nick Astbury, had heard from the Chinese Ambassador, Shu Zhan that the Chinese had minimal political influence on Isaias. While they may have access to the President, this was limited to commercial matters and little policy or ideology is discussed.